Greetings,
We recently had a pretty amazing event here on the Point that I
wanted to share with you.
Ever since Katrina hit the Gulf coast, we wanted to do something
for the people there. Then, after the New Years Eve storms hit the
Napa Valley areas, we knew the time was now. We had no idea what
we would do, something that would honor the traditions and people
of New Orleans… humm, what could we do? Then in a moment of genius,
it hit us, 'how about a party'! We started talking with our friends
and thanks to some very generous folks who agreed to donate their
time for this excellent cause, Pacific Fine Food with guest Chef
Gloria Ciccarone- Nehls of the Huntington Hotel's Big Four Restaurant,
pulled off of quite the event! We threw a good old fashioned rip-roaring
party! This wasn't any old party, it was a Red Cross Benefit held
at the home of Hangar 1 Vodka, St. George Spirits in Alameda. It
was a Mardi Gras Party in a distillery set amongst thousands of
cases of vodka, that raised lots of money for the Red Cross, and
yes, boas were involved!
When everything was said and done, we raised around $13,000.00 for
Katrina & Bay Area Storm Relief programs. In addition, our wonderful
& generous vendors donated $11,700.00 of food, drink, party supplies
and our incredible & tireless volunteers, chefs and staff donated
over 150 hours of their time.
Since this was after all a Mardi Gras party, someone got the fine
idea to ask some displaced New Orleans musicians to help us. You
know what, we offered and they came! My friend Mara Tongue and I
used our frequent flier miles to fly in a couple Big Easy greats
that were caught smack dab in the middle of the disaster and had
lost everything. George Rossi, the last piano player on Bourbon
Street that fateful night and Hall of Fame Sax player, Kirk Ford,
(and wife Paula) flew in for the event. They joined the All Star
Band Johnnie Bamont assembled for us. We used authentic Cajun recipes
and served gallons of hurricanes, even invited Encinal High's Jazz
band to kick it off with 'As Saints Go Marching In' to set 'the
mood'. Needless to say, a great time was had, Alameda Point rocked!
That's not all, ABC news got wind of our little party in a distillery
and ran our story so many times that Kirk Fords little sister saw
him on television and called us to find him; as they'd never met;
(Kirk's Dad moved to California and started a new family when Kirk
was already an established New Orleans musician). How about that,
even brother- sister reunion, where's Oprah?
On behalf of everyone that helped make that night so memorable and
special, T H A N K Y O U! Please enjoy the party pictures and news
interviews from that night. We'll try to do this again next year,
so try and make it, it's sure to sell out!
My warmest regards,
Kelly Kearney
Pacific Fine Food Catering, Inc.
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer & Party Aficionado
Pacific Fine Food, Inc.
Your Commercial Caterer on Alameda Point!
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